Adult 4-H Volunteer Leader Development (Rio Arriba County)

Adult Volunteer Leader Programming
The need for increased adult volunteer leader development programming was identified by many leaders and parents of Rio Arriba County 4-H program during the first year of the agent’s tenure. In effort to meet the identified need of clientele, the agent introduced the Rio Arriba County Leaders Forum. High hopes were given to the innovative, two-day, one-night event. The goals and objectives set for the program included: providing adult volunteer leaders the opportunity to gain new ideas for club activities, learn new ways to effectively organize club activities, increase human resource management skills and increase overall involvement as a leader. In partnership with the State 4-H Specialist, the workshop topics of 2010 3rd Annual County Leaders Forum were: 4-H 201 – What you wanted to ask but Just didn’t know it, How to prevent Hum Drum Meetings, Youth Development Resources & Opportunities related to 4-H, Club meeting snack ideas, 4-H Participation and School Attendance and county leader networking. Nine adult leaders attended the event which was an increase in attendance from years prior. While overall participation has not been as high as hoped, adult volunteer leaders who have had the opportunity to attend the event, have given high regards in all aspects to the program. Written evaluations indicated that the material covered during the workshops were highly useful and practical to the needs of leaders. Participants noted activities to be very effective and presented at the right level. Increasing participation and attendance for the event is a main goal for the agent for the coming years.

County Leaders Forum
Based on feedback received from leaders and parents of the Rio Arriba County’s 4-H program, efforts were made to meet the need for additional adult leadership development opportunities. Goals and objectives for the forum included: providing adults involved in the Rio Arriba County 4-H Program the opportunity to gain new skills, learn about new ideas, and become more involved as a leader. Topics of workshops include: The Roles of Officers, How to Make Your Club Better, Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development Program, How to run an effective meeting, Roles within the 4-H Program, Ethics and Power, and the Cloverbud Program.
A total seven (7) adult leaders attended the two-day event. While participation was thought to be low, the first year for the overnight format, received written evaluations indicated that the material covered was useful and practical to the needs and interest of participants. Participants noted activities to be effective and presented at the right level. Plans for continuing the programming in future years have been made.

Marcella Talamante has signed on to support Adult 4-H Volunteer Leader Development within Rio Arriba County.

Presented two workshops at the 2006 New Mexico 4-H Leaders Forum. Animal ID Act was attended by 21 volunteer leaders. The presentation examined how the Animal ID Act would affect 4-H members and their families that exhibited livestock. Evaluations show that 15 greatly improved their knowledge, 17 responded that the information was very useful and 16 found the presentation of excellent quality.
Parliamentary Procedure was attended by 15 volunteer leaders. The presentation demonstrated using proper parliamentary procedure, how to present and amend main motions as well as demonstrate other techniques in parliamentary procedure to conduct business during 4-H Club meetings. Evaluations show that 7greatly improved their knowledge, 7 responded that the information was very useful, and 6 found the presentation of excellent quality.
Presented Parliamentary Procedure workshop to Dona Ana Branch faculty. Participants were instructed in meeting protocol and methods of reaching goals of the branch through faculty involvement. There were approximately 125 faculty members present.
Presented workshop to Sandoval County 4-H members and leaders on effective club meetings and parliamentary procedure. The presentation demonstrated using proper parliamentary procedure, how to present and amend main motions as well as demonstrate other techniques in parliamentary procedure to conduct business during 4-H Club meetings. Techniques were used during 4-H Council meeting following workshop. Verbal input from parents and leader stated the information was very valuable and helpful. Several stated that they were going to take and use what was presented to other organizations. There were approximately 100 in attendance.
Presented a workshop to 30 Roosevelt County parents and leaders titled “4-H Livestock Projects – It’s More Than what’s in the Bucket.” The presentation explained how the 4-H livestock program uses the six pillars of character to develop 4-H member’s life skills as well as increase their subject matter knowledge. Evaluations show that the workshop increased awareness of the livestock program to be more than just exhibiting their projects as fairs.
Conducted state-wide 4-H leader certification workshop in Rio Rancho, NM. Forty two 4-H leaders were trained in various shooting sports disciplines to become 4-H certified instructors. These leaders received safety, marksmanship training, risk management and coaching youth in a 15 hour course. Evaluations are done through leader’s completion of course and the ability to teach want was taught to them. This is demonstrated by leaders cross training each other in the various shooting disciplines that were taught.